what are the right questions

lynnetteb75

I have been recently dx with bc but that's all..just that I have bc and I know one of my tumors is 3cm and there is another behind that that came out in my mri. however I meet with my oncologist/surgeon tomorrow for the first time and I know I should be asking alot of questions but all I can seem to come up with is what stage what grade and why me....ive been reading everyone stories and yall have alot if terms that I have never heard of or even understand. can someone please give me zome suggestions on what to ask the dr tomorrow or will he explain all of this to me....thank you all for yor help and sharing your stories they are so helpful...

WinningSoFar

Just go in and let them tell you what your diagnosis is.  You don't have to make any decisions on the spot, so once you've digested what they tell you, you can go back with questions.  If you can take someone with you to take notes, or record it.  You have time to think about this, talk to your family and friends and talk to us.  Don't feel rushed. 

Hopeful82014

Your oncologist should give you much more detailed information. Stop her/him at any point if you don't understand a term or the implications of what you're being told. They should give you time to think about what you've heard and ask your own questions. They should treat you with respect and compassion. If not, address the issue directly with them. You have the right to change doctors if you don't feel comfortable with them. 

Don't let anyone rush you into a quick decision about anything or tell you that there is one, and only one, way to treat the cancer. 

Take deep breaths and try to let your own mind come up with your own list of questions. Write them down! 

I'll be meeting my care coordinator (a breast surgeon) tomorrow for the first time, too, and I will be thinking of you, Lynette. Good luck.

edwards750

Amen to what Alex said. You will be inundated with information and overwhelmed at the same time. Do take someone with you if you can. I took my DH. Def don't feel rushed and ask questions. Don't be afraid to do that. They will give you pamphlets with pages and pages of information. All the terms and abbreviations we use comes from experience and years of using them. No worries you will learn and understand them in time.

Just take it one step at a time. We can all relate to the initial shock and all of us share your feelings about why me? Just don't dwell on that. Drs do not know why we drew the unlucky straw but we did and we deal with it - and so will you. We will help you in any way we can. 

I am almost 4 years out. There are no guarantees but the prognosis is good. 

Keep the faith and keep us posted. 

Diane 

lynnetteb75

thank all so much. I have started a journal from the day I felt my lump and every dr,examine date for ths last month I know its just started but I already feel overwhelmed.I guess due to the fact that ive been going to a breast cancer clinic since day one I feel like even though I was just diagnosed 2 weeks ago it feel like an eternity and I should know all this stuff after 5 weeks juzt feeling anxious I guess I do thanl everyone though..hugsss to u all and hopeful let us know how u made iyt

Psalm34-4

hi Lynette.. you have already been given good advice. Do try to have someone go with you, doctors will go over a lot with you, and you will be overwhelmed, so another support person with pen and pad is helpful. If you havent already, you will probably have a biopsy to determine more about your cancer. There are many specific tests they can do to determine the best specific treatment for you and the type of cancer you have. Try not to fret about test results, it's not that they are necessarily good or bad, just they give the doctor data that will make your treatment very lynette specific! Try to not feel rushed also... you don't have to make immediate decisions... once all your test results are back, doctor will tell you what options you have, then you can take a little time to decide what you want to do. Most importantly remember that now that this has been found, treatment / healing are quickly coming! Many advancements have been made in breast cancer, and as I kept getting told by my medical team.. this is just a "bump" in the road... 

Ask if your hospital has a Breast Navigator... a lot of larger hospitals do.. this is a nurse that kinda leads you through testing and treatment and is a resource for all of your questions. This site has a lot of wonderful info too.. and some amazing women who can support you ! You are not alone on this journey. 

It is very overwhelming and I know I have felt like, and still do.. that this is the rollercoaster ride of my life. But you just take one day at a time and focus on what is the most pressing issue at the time. I tried to plan everything from the get go and you can't do that. If you still need biopsy.. then deal with that.  Then post biopsy results. Then surgery if needed.. or whatever.. one step one day at a time. 

Praying for you , hope this helps.. keep us posted. There is a wealth of knowledge / experience here..

lynnetteb75

I have had two biopsys one that was mamo guided because I have clusters or microcalificTions and an ultrasound guided for the tumor and when I went for my mri they found another mass behind my surface tumor that wi get biopsied mri guided...my clinic is an aaffiliate to a main hospital in the bay area and my team has been amazing as soon as I hung up with the dr that did my biopsy I literally had 5 calls from my pcp to ma's just asking what theu could do for me and what was the next appointment...they really are great I think im just so overwhelmed I think

Psalm34-4

Very normal feeling lynette.. I actually think overwhelmed is an understatement! Well since you have biopsy out of way, then I would assume tomorrow they will have pathology results back to tell you exactly what kind of cancer it is. I had 2 tumors as well, was wondering if I was the only one! Like all have said, have someone with you, to take notes.. surgery may be next step for you.. and they will tell you options. I know our doctors here really push breast conservation surgery if you qualify... once you get results read up on the info on this site that explains it better. Some cancers feed off our hormones, some are HER 2 positive, in which there is a specific med for that.. main thing is to just see what you have and what the treatment involves.. then take a deep breath and make your decisions. I will say that by looking on here, a lot of women with similiar diagnosis get different treatment, so don't let that concern you. There are so many variables, you just need to have good communication with your doctors and trust in them. 

I just noticed you are in Clearwater.. what main hospital will you be using. I am in Dothan, AL... think you are the first person I've met here who is a southerner!

Just remember that this is doable.. & you have a new set of supportive friends who feel your pain / anxiety / and every other emotion.

ilovepugs

Hi Lynette, 

Here is a link to a really good resource for you...loads of questions for each doctor. 

http://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/breast-cancer/q...

Hope this is helpful, 

Christine

Moderators

Hi Lynnette! 

Besides the wonderful advise from members here, you may find interesting to read the article Your Diagnosis: Questions to Ask Your Doctor, from the main Breastcancer.org site. Depending on your treatment and diagnosis there are also other helpful sections such as:

Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Hormonal Therapy

Questions to Ask Your Surgeon

We hope this helps!

The Mods

lynnetteb75

well I had my surgeon oncologist appt. today finally got my path report and what u expected to be a 30 minute appt. ended up being 2 1/2 hrs...I love my team...I was assigned a nurse navigator and referred to a plastic surgeon and a medical oncologist however still do not have a surgery date as I am so young Im going to take the myriads genetic testing since ive had issues with precancerous cells on my uterus in the past.pending the results of that it will determine a mastectomy of a double. but I also got a script for sleep so needless to say with all of yall support and a game plan and sleeping pills I am having a pretty good day not to mention I havnt cried once today...

Psalm34-4

Glad to hear your spirits are up.. I think the Nurse Naviagation program is one of the greatest things for patients. Wishing you all the best.